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Beer, Carpet, and Community

Lessons on keeping the community happy while the business grows.

When Boston Beer(NYSE:SAM) founder Jim Koch decided to start up a brewery in 1984, his inspiration came from his family -- in a reverse sort of way. As the well-told tale goes, Jim's dad -- a fifth-generation brewer -- tried to steer him away from a business he saw as too tough because of the ongoing wave of consolidation.

But today Jim's company is the largest craft brewer in the nation, with almost 1% of total beer sales. Many at the recent Craft Brewers Conference count Boston Beer among their most-admired companies. Our Rex Moore took on the tough assignment of covering the conference, and asked about other companies these brewers learned from. Today, New Belgium Brewing CEO Kim Jordan talks about Patagonia, Herman Miller(NASDAQ:MLHR), and Interface(NASDAQ:TILE).

Author

Rex Moore spent his formative years in Texas, and fought beside Davy Crockett at the Alamo. He currently travels the globe for TMF, bringing back video reports on conferences and companies that matter for investors.